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bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
There is plenty that’s problematic about Malcolm X. The worst for me was reading his ideas about women—for example, that women need and even want to be slapped around every once in awhile (p 156). But there’s no denying that his analysis of racism in the US was what the times required, and maybe is still required. He’s brilliant on racism, especially toward the end after his pilgrimage to Mecca. Everyone should read this.
“Where the really sincere white people have got to do their “proving” of themselves is not among the black victims [of racism], but on the battle lines of where America’s racism really is— and that’s in their own home communities. America’s racism is among their own fellow whites. That’s where the sincere whites who really mean to accomplish something have got to work.”
The eeriest moment in the whole thing is when he wonders who— MLK Jr or himself— will be killed first, as representatives of two different ways of fighting racism. At the moment when he wrote that, they were both still alive, but as it turned out, he was assassinated before this book was even published in 1965, and Martin Luther King, in 1968.
I never read non-fiction quickly, so I’ve been working on this for about a month. It gets a little repetitive at times, but overall it is well worth the time.
“Where the really sincere white people have got to do their “proving” of themselves is not among the black victims [of racism], but on the battle lines of where America’s racism really is— and that’s in their own home communities. America’s racism is among their own fellow whites. That’s where the sincere whites who really mean to accomplish something have got to work.”
The eeriest moment in the whole thing is when he wonders who— MLK Jr or himself— will be killed first, as representatives of two different ways of fighting racism. At the moment when he wrote that, they were both still alive, but as it turned out, he was assassinated before this book was even published in 1965, and Martin Luther King, in 1968.
I never read non-fiction quickly, so I’ve been working on this for about a month. It gets a little repetitive at times, but overall it is well worth the time.
autumsunity's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
ladygarland's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
jimmyviera's review against another edition
5.0
An important book that everyone should read. It took me a lot longer to read this than I thought it would, maybe because I wanted to make sure I was really absorbing what was being said. I cannot think of a more impactful book that I have read in recent years.
apnastories's review against another edition
5.0
Yesterday marked the 99th birthday of Malcolm X (Rahimahullah).
Often cited as one of the most transformational books of the 20th century, The Autobiography of Malcolm X provides individuals with access and the language to speak to the radical tradition. I can attest to this. I have now read/ listened to the book twice with plans to return to it again (and again). Each read has had profound impacts on how I perceive and move in this world. It is very much a living book that accompanies the reader, allowing them to be open to redemption and equipping them with the tools against injustice. I implore everyone everywhere to read about Malcolm X (Rahimahullah) in his own words.
Published in 1965 following Malcom’s assassination, there’s a heaviness in knowing that Malcolm rightly expected to never see the book to completion in his lifetime. Alex Haley has done an incredible job in capturing his voice, and I really valued Haley’s forward as it captured the context and change around Malcolm’s speech as time went on.
The book itself is quite an extensive account of Malcolm’s life. Narrated in chronological order, we follow the course of his upbringing in Nebraska which is marked by violence, loss and the breakdown of family. His father, a Baptist Minister and follower of Black National Marcus Garvey, was brutally killed by the Black Legion, a white supremacist group. Widowed with seven children in her care, Malcolm’s mother was targeted by the state which was one of the factors that contributed to her being institutionalised. He is then separated from his siblings and spends some of his teenage years in Detroit living in foster care. Later, he moves to Harlem.
From this point, many may be familiar with the trajectory of his life - criminal activity, he is imprisoned for burglary and it is in prison he becomes a member of the Nation of Islam.
In reflecting about the making of Malcolm X, we witness a man admirably made through many unmakings. Redeemed time and time again, it is a testament to his sincerity in moving with the truth and accepting the Divine decree. As a Muslim reader, I particularly loved following Malcolm’s journey to The House for Hajj. A homecoming.
During Malcolm’s lifetime his intentions, speech and actions were misrepresented. Today, there are many examples of his legacy being co-opted. His autobiography speaks his truth, he was an intellectual and freedom fighter in resistance to the white gaze and racialised policies. He worked for black racial dignity.
In the life and lessons of Malcolm (Rahimahullah) we are directed towards moral leadership, working to see justice manifest and the remembrance of The Sublime.
May Allah Almighty have mercy upon him.
Al-Fatiha